Posts tagged: fiji laser event

The 2018 Oceania Laser Masters Championships has kicked off on the shores of the Sofitel Resort in Fiji, hosted by The Denarau Yacht Club. Following Brett Beyer’s coaching sessions yesterday, the sailors completed the first two races of the event today in what was reported to be ideal conditions.

Australian Brett Beyer championed the Standard Masters division at the 2018 Laser Masters World Championships in Dún Laoghaire last month, therefore it is no surprise that he kick started this event with two bullets. American Peter Hurley was also consistent today, finishing third and second respectively in the two races behind Beyer. With the Laser Standard age divisions all competing together, Apprentice Master Dave Ridley of New Zealand is sitting in third overall after the first two races with a second and a fourth-place finish.

The leading Laser Standard Grand Master is currently Rob Muru of Canada, in fifth place overall. The leading Great Grand Master is Australia’s John Black, in 17th overall.

In the Laser Radials, Grand Master Roger Winton of New Zealand is atop the leaderboard, also with two firsts. Behind Winton, is a tie for second after the first two races. Australian Legend John d’Helin finished with a fourth and a second, as did fellow countryman, Great Grand Master Geoff Kohlman.

Day 2….Challenging racing and close finishes defined the second day at the Oceania Laser Masters Championships. Today the sky was dark and menacing with low clouds, and at times heavy rain and extremely high humidity. The fleet set out on the water with intermittent rain, 5–9 knots, and a temperature of 30ºC.At the finish of the first race, a big rain squall came through and cooled everything down.

Australian Brett Beyer is still in the lead, after scoring a DNF in the first race (currently his drop race) of the day, and a second-place finish for Race 4. New Zealand’s Dave Ridley has climbed into second overall after kicking off Day 2 with a seventh, but securing a win in the final race of the day. Martin Koning of the Netherlands is only one point behind Ridley overall, after claiming Race 3 and securing a fourth-place finish in Race 4.

The leading Laser Standard Grand Master is currently still Rob Muru of Canada, in sixth place overall. The leading Great Grand Master is Richard Ineson of New Zealand, in 19th overall.

In the Laser Radials, Grand Master Roger Winton of New Zealand has held his position atop the leaderboard, with only four total points over four races. Great Grand Master Geoff Kohlman has slid into second place overall, only one point ahead of Corinthian Viliame Ratulu of Fiji and Australian Legend John d’Helin.

Day 3-4…. Today was the final day of racing at the Oceania Laser Masters World Championships. Both yesterday and today were brighter with high clouds and a building trade breeze of 8–10 knots.

In the Standard fleet, Australian Master Brett Beyer finished top-three in each of the last four races, to secure his lead overall of the Standard fleet. Apprentice Master Dave Ridley of New Zealand kept Beyer on his toes, staying close by in each race and finishing second overall, only six points behind. Rounding out the podium, is Dutch Master Martin Koning who is actually tied for points with Master Peter Hurley of USA.

The leading Laser Standard Grand Master is Canadian Rob Muru, who climbed back up to fifth place overall. The leading Great Grand Master is Richard Ineson of New Zealand, in 18th overall.

In the Laser Radials, Grand Master Roger Winton of New Zealand has held his position atop the leaderboard, with only seven total points over eight races. Corinthian Viliame Ratulu of Fiji had an outstanding performance the last two days finishing top-three in the final four races, one of which he claimed a first place ahead of Winton. Sitting in third overall is Apprentice Master Robert Vine of Thailand who also was very consistent. Australian Legend John d’Helin, came in fourth overall of the Radial fleet.

All in all, the sailors seem thrilled with the regatta week in Fiji, hosted by Denarau Yacht Club and sponsored with brand-new PSA Lasers. The prize-giving ceremony will be held this evening.